Porsche coupster hatchback (rumour)
- Thread starter Poverty
- 58 comments
- 1,836 views
- 21,286
- GR-MI-USA
- YSSMAN
- YSSMAN
...Its another "idea" to come out of Porsche buying 25% of Volkswagen. Granted, I do think that Porsche could do with a low-production coupe with prices less than $40K, but a hatchback is the wrong way to go at it. A modern 914 would be nice, but Porsche's current lineup doesn't seem as though it would "need" a model such as that.
Porsche should test the water with a VW concept version, just to prove that they can do it, and then do one for themselves.
Porsche should test the water with a VW concept version, just to prove that they can do it, and then do one for themselves.
- 11,462
- U.K
- Paganisterr
- Ak Paganister
Porsche is going to far if this is true. I like them how they are, a little above everyone else and not a fully every day car. If they come down to hothatch levels, they've blown it in my eyes. I know they have to expand to live, but aren't they doing fine at the moment? Isn't the hachback crowd croweded enough already?
- 21,286
- GR-MI-USA
- YSSMAN
- YSSMAN
...So then how hard would it be for Porsche to whip up a new FR, MR, or RR platform? Now that they have the co-develpment tools with Volkswagen who has talked about doing an RWD coupe or sedan, I'd be surprised if the project is a semi-real idea, although it wouldn't be a Golf-Based car as the photoshop picture shows...
- 23,800
- Philippines
But Porsche already sells cars for money. Heck, the way they gouge eager Porsche-o-philes with ridiculously expensive options means they probably make more profit off each car than Ford or GM do off of each Navigator or Escalade they sell.
They're already one of the most profitable car companies on Earth (if not the...) and they probably don't need a traditional FR car to round out their line-up.
They ought to sell the VW GX3 as a Porsche. Wham! There's your entry level Porsche. And they can sell it at $25-30k without diluting the exclusivity of the marquee. Heck, they can charge another $10k on top of that for airconditioning and leather seats.
They're already one of the most profitable car companies on Earth (if not the...) and they probably don't need a traditional FR car to round out their line-up.
They ought to sell the VW GX3 as a Porsche. Wham! There's your entry level Porsche. And they can sell it at $25-30k without diluting the exclusivity of the marquee. Heck, they can charge another $10k on top of that for airconditioning and leather seats.
I quite like the idea of a Porsche "Hot-Hatch" if it's true, the problems IMHO are that:
1) there are two types of Hot-Hatch that have appeared in the VW Golf class in the last few years
The regular Hot-Hatch's such as:
VW Golf GTi/R32, Ford Focus ST, Vauxhall Astra VXR & even the newly released Renaultsport Clio 197, etc.
The Up-market Badged Hot Hatch's such as:
Alfa Romeo 147 GTA, Audi A3 3.2 Quattro & BMW 130i M Sport, etc.
Even if Porsche did managed to make a Hot-Hatch that is 2 times better then all the above, would anyone be willing to pay £30-40K+ (or $56-74K+ Link) for one?
2) With 3.6 VR6 FSI engine 4wd 300+ hp, it would create a new higher tier in the Hot Hatch class and one that is not really needed IMO, next thing you know Ferrari will join this "Super-Hatch" class with car that has a twin turbo V6 and a fiat Stilo chassis.
1) there are two types of Hot-Hatch that have appeared in the VW Golf class in the last few years
The regular Hot-Hatch's such as:
VW Golf GTi/R32, Ford Focus ST, Vauxhall Astra VXR & even the newly released Renaultsport Clio 197, etc.
The Up-market Badged Hot Hatch's such as:
Alfa Romeo 147 GTA, Audi A3 3.2 Quattro & BMW 130i M Sport, etc.
Even if Porsche did managed to make a Hot-Hatch that is 2 times better then all the above, would anyone be willing to pay £30-40K+ (or $56-74K+ Link) for one?
2) With 3.6 VR6 FSI engine 4wd 300+ hp, it would create a new higher tier in the Hot Hatch class and one that is not really needed IMO, next thing you know Ferrari will join this "Super-Hatch" class with car that has a twin turbo V6 and a fiat Stilo chassis.
- 21,286
- GR-MI-USA
- YSSMAN
- YSSMAN
...Well, I don't think it would sell for $56-74K (exchange rates are silly, aren't they?) but somewhere near $40K USD would be the most reasonable place to settle.
But when you mention a 300 BHP 3.6L VR6 hot-hatch with FWD, Porsche is comming late to the party being that Audi will have one, and so will VW with it's R36 twins.
But when you mention a 300 BHP 3.6L VR6 hot-hatch with FWD, Porsche is comming late to the party being that Audi will have one, and so will VW with it's R36 twins.
- 6,769
- Little Elm, TX
- JCE3000GT
What's so bad about a super luxury hot hatch? I for one would love to see a Porsche hot hatch and I am a Porsche fan. I mean if the Cayman exsists why can't one of these? It's a very adult looking hot hatch, and to me that is brilliant. While I think this rumor was just spread to gauge the people's reaction I don't think we'll ever see this from Porsche...ever. So bring on the RS3. 👍
- 6,041
- Puget Sound
- Crash852
Assuming this rumored hot hatch is true, the question I ask Porsche is, what is the point of this hot hatch?
If the point is to expand the range to target younger (read less affluent) audiences, then I say that is a poor reason to do this hatchback. To target these people would only dilute the image and prestige. Part of the Porsche cachet is the exclusivness (whether perceived or real) of their cars. Yes, increasing sales can potentially make the company even more profitable, but to increase the sells so much so that everyone owns one only makes it nothing more than a "people's car".
Brand name, image and prestige are arguably more valuable than cash, since those can't be bought, they are priceless. And it certainly is a lot easier and quicker to ruin a brand image than to build one.
Remember when Mercedes Benz tried to do the same thing with the C-Class hatchback? I don't think that went over very well.
If the point is to expand the range to target younger (read less affluent) audiences, then I say that is a poor reason to do this hatchback. To target these people would only dilute the image and prestige. Part of the Porsche cachet is the exclusivness (whether perceived or real) of their cars. Yes, increasing sales can potentially make the company even more profitable, but to increase the sells so much so that everyone owns one only makes it nothing more than a "people's car".
Brand name, image and prestige are arguably more valuable than cash, since those can't be bought, they are priceless. And it certainly is a lot easier and quicker to ruin a brand image than to build one.
Remember when Mercedes Benz tried to do the same thing with the C-Class hatchback? I don't think that went over very well.
- 825
- Charlotte, NC
- CosmicMS3
- I2valve
I still think that VW should bring in a rear drive platform with a newly designed Beetle. Heck, even make it a MR or RR and let the new EOS be the chic car! Give it a hard top, put a fake flower inside and ---WHAM--- instant chic-car status.
The New Beetles style is becoming "dated" (if you can really even say that because it was already a victim of the "new-retro" trend) and introducing a rear drive platform provided would be a good boost for a car that really isn't 'cool' anymore.
That is just my opinion. I do think that a Porsche hatch would be a step in the wrong direction but my belief is that it is fake anyways.
The New Beetles style is becoming "dated" (if you can really even say that because it was already a victim of the "new-retro" trend) and introducing a rear drive platform provided would be a good boost for a car that really isn't 'cool' anymore.
That is just my opinion. I do think that a Porsche hatch would be a step in the wrong direction but my belief is that it is fake anyways.
- 19,707
- Alabamamania
Considering there's been comparatively inexpensive 924s and 914s in the past, what's the problem with a Porsche for those of us who own one home, and can only afford 3-star dining and hotels? Porsche's image wasn't hurt by those two models, since its reputation has always been built on the fact they make world-renouned supercars and sports-cars and have made some of the world's best production-based racing cars.
- 7,956
- BradleyH131
I think nowadays, that Porsche has rose above the time when they could produce 'cheap' cars like the 914 and 924. A Porsche is not something that every second person should own. If you drove around a 911, how would you like to see some rich backwards hat teen driving around in a brand spanking new Porsche Hatchback?
Unless this Hatchback is going to be a full-on, off the chart, uber-hatch back. I don't see it being the right look for image Porsche has created.
- 23,800
- Philippines
Well there's both good and bad in it. On the one hand, it'll dilute the brand image, which would be bad for Porsche.
On the other hand, it'd be a fun, fast and good handling car that people would actually drive instead of stockpiling in a hermetically sealed, temperature and humidity controlled garage. Unused sports cars are a very sad sight indeed.
That's why I think Porsche's downmarket shove should be via the GX3. That car doesn't fit the snob-profile Porsche of today, but a developed version of that (on four wheels) could be the next 914.
On the other hand, it'd be a fun, fast and good handling car that people would actually drive instead of stockpiling in a hermetically sealed, temperature and humidity controlled garage. Unused sports cars are a very sad sight indeed.
That's why I think Porsche's downmarket shove should be via the GX3. That car doesn't fit the snob-profile Porsche of today, but a developed version of that (on four wheels) could be the next 914.
- 30,022
- Cuddington, Cheshire
- JDA1982
Porsches image already got tainted with the Boxster. Good car or not, it allowed more posers to buy into the Porsche image, up until the Boxster, people wern't saying "cocks buy Porsches" or anything of the sort. This will only increase the effect the Boxster started.
And the Boxster is already a sub 40k car.
And the Boxster is already a sub 40k car.
- 6,769
- Little Elm, TX
- JCE3000GT
live4speed
Great post.
I do agree that Porsche's image isn't what it used to be but look at their lineup, it involves a blue colar sports car (Boxster), a soccer mom SUV (Cayenne), and a middle management's sports car (Cayman). The problem with Porsche is them selling out, they've come this far why not just do the hot hatch...who knows it may go over real well in Europe and America. I don't see Porsche in a bad light even with the previously mentioned pointless models, it's business...you make what the people want. Isn't it that simple?
Poverty
(Banned)
- 3,567
following up on the cocks buy porsches bit, (barring the GT3 series) if they cant afford a boxster, or require a extra 2 or 3 seats they buy a BMW, because lets face it, the closest sedan thing to a 4 door porsche is a BMW.
And because BMW's are more widespread people have made images like the one below. Only seems to be a UK thing though, by mainly 3 series and X5 drivers.
Its amusing that in america considers boxsters a blue collar vehicle because I know more men in construction with non base 911's than those that live in the city.
And because BMW's are more widespread people have made images like the one below. Only seems to be a UK thing though, by mainly 3 series and X5 drivers.
Its amusing that in america considers boxsters a blue collar vehicle because I know more men in construction with non base 911's than those that live in the city.
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